TF Sightings | Toys R' Us Noarlunga

02.20.2017 – Over the weekend a drive to Toys R’ Us Noarlunga was unprecedented as a rare opportunity to see what this store have when it comes to the Transformers brand. It’s surprising that the have something that Big W, Kmart, Target or even Myer doesn’t have that makes it even more interesting. The stores in Australia are diverse but not as complete like the ones in the Philippines or not even closely similar to the stores in South Korea. But definitely you get to see something there that’s worth the trip if you really have found that Transformer toy.

Transformers #42: Now and On Earth.

08.14.2015 –How to you deal with losing your most trusted ally? They say you can’t stop change and personal experiences that made them. In Optimus Prime’s case it plays more than just a leader and his lieutenant. What makes John Barber’s stories about how the Transformers characters being portrayed is no longer about just enjoying a good read. The content is basically aimed at older Transformers Fans, the ones who grew up seeing the series when it started more than thirty years ago and it reflects more how reality played out if this happened in a real world, but its not and they are portrayed by robots with human elements. This issue will make you think about loyalties and moralities that define why the brand has continued to endure this long. IDW certainly has surpassed the previous publishers who originally had a hand telling stories about alien robots that could change into Earth vehicles and other things. The epilogue for “Combiner Wars” for this issue carries a lot of weight and more thought defining narratives from Cybertron to Earth how the conflict is no longer about factions its more about conversations somewhat aching to human politics that mirrors what we have seen and this is all good stuff.

Windblade #3: Defender of all Sentient Beings!

08.05.2015 – "Combiner Wars" conclusion gives you a surprise and the explanation why the Voyager Class Optimus Prime has the ability to combine. If you missed that last issue this gives you that idea how the toyline is aligned with the IDW published comic books and how the narrative plays out. Previously Prowl and Constructicons went on a rampage to destroy the space bridge that links to Cybreton and Caminus in stopping Starscream to expand his empire. This only was prevented by Superion and the recently Enigma of Combination exposed Protectobots immediately forming Defensor. This was one of the visions Mirage and Ironhide shared that has been haunting them. The conflict started with Swindle bringing in the Stunticons’ combined form in Menasor who was let loose once again to wreck havoc on Caminus, which brings us to this last part where Optimus Prime, Sunstreaker, Prowl, Ironhide and Mirage where also exposed to combine together in stopping a new improved Devastator.

Transformers #41: You, Me, & The Universe.

08.02.2015 – The “Combiner Wars” continue to “Transformers #41”, where Windblade #2 (2015) left off with fairly enough damage made by Prowl and his Constructicons seemed like an after thought. But actually it’s not as this builds ups into a bigger war brewing and things are just making a little pause for now. After Devastator’s rampage has been stopped by Defensor and Superion in Caminus the Cybertronians assist the first colony in repairing the damage done to its city. In the opening pages Prowl is in custody of Optimus Prime badly beaten while the rest of the Constructicons are being held in the Secret Prison managed by Rattrap. Prime and Prowl discuss about their sides regarding Starscream’s plans to expand his empire to the other thirteen colonies beginning with Caminus, which gives weight to the conflict between two former friends. Prowl argues with Prime that the system in place is not enough control what Starcream is trying to do. He claims sooner or later someone or somebody will be in-charge of Cybertron and will have control of the thirteen colonies for the reason that made such noise.

Windblade #2: Mistakes & Mayhem!

07.06.2015 – If the first part of the Combiner Wars was the appetizer in Wingblade (2015) #1 for action The Transformers #40 has the meat for a crucial narrative that will give light to what’s happening. Wingblade (2015) #2 is like a rollercoaster heading up a uphill cranking up the intense action that has been waiting to takes its course. Mairghread Scott sets up the story that brought back Prowl and the Constructicons back to Cybertron. At the same time the “Protectobots” crew along with a special guest in Mirage also arrives due to the so called vision he has seen in his sleep. That same vision has been in Ironhide’s mind about death and destruction to all Cybertronians. This all came together due to the aftermath what transpired with the attack of Menasor to Caminus a setup that was led by the swindled Swindle (no pun intended) who is serving time now in a secret prison being handled by Starscream’s loyal lackey in Ratrap (the same Maximal in “Beast Wars” in a different role in this IDW Publishing’s comics continuity).

The Combiner Wars Continue: Transformers # 40!

AFTER the “Opening Salvo” and Part 1 of the first two issues in IDW’s Combiner Wars crossover, “Transformers” # 40 shows the readers the pieces of the puzzle. And there’s a lot of moving pieces. The issue begins by showing a shuttle on its way to Cybertron. The shuttle is commanded by Jetfire, and is manned by the OG Protectobots. In this continuity, they’ve never been a team, much less a combiner. Despite the fact that the Protectobot Rook was introduced in the Combiner Wars toyline, here you have Hot Spot, Groove, Blades Streetwise and First Aid, who has arrived after spending a lot of time on the ship The Lost Light of “Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye” fame. Streetwise even jokingly themselves “Protectobots,” because they are composed of “a doctor, a cop, a firefighter, an infiltration expert and a fire.” Guess that team name is in continuity now. Interestingly enough, First Aid is here due to his capacity as doctor of Patient 619, who is being ferried to Cybertron for treatment. Patient 619 happens to be Mirage, who is experiencing nasty visions of a burning Cybertron. In his vision, he says “I must help them choose,” to Ironhide—who also happens to be having the same visions on Cybertron.

A Whole New World: Windblade (2015) # 1!

FROM the very first time that Windblade, Chromia and Nautica first appeared in the IDW continuity, readers have been wondering exactly where they came from. The three fembots spoke about their home, the lost Cybertronian colony Caminus, and how their home planet was running out of resources. Out of caution, Optimus Prime and the Autobots had stayed clear of Caminus. Combiners can change so many things. After the events of “Transformers # 39,” the Combiner Wars are on. At the end of that issue, the devious Starscream, after taking possession of the fabled Engima of Combination, fooled Swindle and Menasor—the combined form of the Stunticons—to travel to Caminus via the new-operational space bridge to rob the planet. The Combiner Wars continue, with its first full chapter in the second “Windblade” mini-series, which we will refer to as “Windblade (2015).” At the issue’s beginning, we get a quick look at Caminus and its inhabitants. They are clearly Cybertronians but possess what appear to be more ornate forms and a seemingly medieval form of society. There are also a lot of fembots here—but, it is important to note, not all the Camiens are female.

TFCC Reveals Combiner Wars Fitor for 2015!

04.01.2015 – Transformers celebrated the brand for thirty years introducing familiar characters from the vintage release and releasing them in them modern appearance. But some have been introduced in a whole new way. Takara Tomy sometimes announce these releases often a little bit of shocking for most fans overseas to be excited about. For this year the Transformers brand expands with the Combiner Wars robots able to form an even larger robot but what if one of them is a Gobotronian?

TransFormers Designer Desk: Combiner Wars!

11.30.2014 – The Combiner Wars is coming in 2015 and it’s the next wave of Generations toy line that’s also the upcoming major story arc in IDW Publishing’s comic book that was teased in Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #34. For those who have witnessed the announcement during Comic-Con and have seen a teaser of what’s Combiner Wars is all about would be anticipating more in the Designer Desk segment…

Wake-Up Call: Robots in Disguise # 33!

FROM the beginning, “Transformers: Robots in Disguise” (“TF: RID”) has been considered good but not as good as its sibling title, “Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye” (“TF: MTMTE”). Since the resident artists are quite similar in talent and style (Andrew Griffith on “TF: RID” and Alex Milne on “TF: MTMTE”), the difference lies in the books’ writers (John Barber on “TF: RID” and James Roberts on “TF: MTMTE”). This is interesting since together, Barber and Roberts have ushered in the most critically acclaimed era in TF comics history. But the observation is that Roberts simply knows how to get the best out of the big ideas that have characterized the resurgence. That’s important to note because Barber is pretty good—just not as good as Roberts. “TF: RID” # 33 is typical of the kind of issue where Barber has something really interesting to run with but doesn't quite go as far as he can go with it. That being said, “The World of Tomorrow” has some fascinating moments. One of the two best moments comes at the very beginning, when a character thought dead returns to a world that he does not recognize, and Barber plays this up really well.

SDCC 2014: Generations Combiner Wars!

07.26.2014 – Comic-Con has finally descended in San Diego and the exclusives where just scratching of the surface. The much awaited part for any Transformers fans out there is the panel for future release in all aspect of the brand namely the new TV series, videogames, comic books and toys. IDW Publishing reveal the art of Livio Ramondelli’s modern take of ‘Scramble City’ dubbed ‘Combiner Wars’, which was reported by Seibertron.com as well as the new product photos of the stars of the next Generations release courtesy of BTWF.com who have friends reporting this.